Shirley Jean Rice née Robinson

life story

A Time to Dance and Now A Time to Rest at Age 94

Shirley Jean Rice passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025 at the age of 94. A woman of keen intellect, sparkling wit, and timeless style, Shirley lived her life with grace, strength, and fierce devotion to those she loved.

Born Shirley Jean Robinson, she grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota, before eventually settling in the Twin Cities. She married Clark Rice and together they had three sons: Grant, Greg, and Ron. Though her marriage ended in heartbreak, Shirley faced life’s challenges with resilience and dignity, always putting her children first.

Shirley is survived by her son Grant and a circle of extended family. She was preceded in death by her sons Ron and Greg, whom she held close in her heart every day. She also outlived her parents and sisters, each of whom shaped her story and remained with her in memory.

She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever cherished.

Remembering Shirley

Things Shirley Loved

Shirley had a flair for finding joy in the little things — and the not-so-little ones too. Among her favorite things were:

* The color blue, which she wore with style

* Turner Classic Movies, especially the timeless elegance of old Hollywood

* The TV show “The Good Wife”, which she followed with great interest

* Dancing, whenever and wherever the music moved her

* Sweet handfuls of M&M’s, her go-to treat

* And the music of Joshua Bell, whose playing stirred her soul. She once took Greg and Kim to see him in concert — a night she treasured — and she listened to “Romance of the Violin” on repeat, never growing tired of its beauty

These simple joys, woven through her daily life, were part of what made Shirley so distinctly herself — thoughtful, stylish, curious, and always just a little bit playful.

Lifelong Learner

She built a proud 32-year career with Northwestern Bookstores, working in their corporate office. At the time, there were ten bookstores. Shirley was the buyer of books and Bibles, and she brought passion and discernment to her role. She retired at age 72 — not because she had to, but when she was ready.

She was an avid lifelong learner — not only through the more than 300 extension classes she took over the years, but also in her everyday habits. Shirley loved the news. She cared about what was happening in the world and stayed informed. Up until recently, she read the Star Tribune every day, cover to cover. She believed it mattered to pay attention.

And speaking of details — Shirley was an obsessive note-taker, a habit that reflected her sharp mind and keen interest in the world around her. Whether it was jotting things down or offering advice, she always had something to share.

The Planner

She was also, let’s just say it, prepared. In 2005, when Kim wrote a workbook about planning your own funeral, Shirley was the very first to say, “Well, let’s get to it.” She filled it out thoroughly, picked out the songs and readings that she wanted. And she even bought a burial plot to be shared with her beloved son Grant, right next Ron’s remains. She didn’t shy away from planning — she faced it head-on, with clarity and care. She wanted it done right. And she did it her way.

A Mother’s Love

One of Shirley’s most profound expressions of love was through caregiving. She was a dedicated and constant caregiver for her son, Grant, whose complex mental health challenges required extraordinary commitment and compassion. Shirley met those needs with unwavering patience, fierce protection, and a quiet, enduring grace. She understood Grant deeply and never wavered in her devotion to his well-being — always adapting, always showing up, always loving him exactly as he was.

A Journey of Faith

She often struggled with spiritual questions — and she was honest about it. When some felt comfort in faith, she felt anger and loss. She felt God had let her sons down. But life, as it often does, changed her heart over time. Dementia, that slow unwinding of memory, didn’t take away her spirit — it softened it. In her later days, she began to speak of heaven, no longer with bitterness, but with peace. And that is how we like to imagine her now — at peace, perhaps dancing again.

Style, Spirit, and Spark

Shirley loved looking good — and she never let a hair appointment go unattended. Her eyeliner was permanently perfect, her outfits always coordinated, and her presence always memorable. She had a bold, expressive spirit and an eye for detail.

I think we can all agree: Shirley was a high-maintenance woman. And she wore that title proudly.

But make no mistake — she was also deeply generous, endlessly curious, and joyfully herself. Whether it was dancing, debating, or learning something new, Shirley approached life with passion and precision.

Family

Shirley cherished her family deeply, even as her relationships and experiences with them were complex. She loved to share stories about her mother and father, recalling them with warmth and gratitude. She was especially proud that one of her sisters became a nurse — a source of quiet pride and admiration. Though she didn’t see her family often after marrying, her love for them never wavered. And now, after so many years apart, Shirley is reunited with them once more.

She maintained a close and loving connection with her niece, Jane, exchanging notes and letters over the years. Shirley deeply enjoyed Jane’s visit in 2022 and often spoke of it with joy.

Her marriage to Clark Rice brought both joy and heartache. After his betrayal, Shirley made the difficult but courageous decision to divorce — a turning point that revealed her strength and resolve to protect her well-being and that of her children.

She was the devoted mother of three sons: Ron, Greg, and Grant. Ron struggled with depression and tragically died by suicide — a loss Shirley carried with great sorrow and enduring love. Grant lived with severe and complex mental health challenges, and Shirley devoted herself to his care for as long as she possibly could. Though these hardships weighed heavily on her, Shirley’s fierce maternal love remained constant.

In her later years, Shirley had little contact with her grandsons. As her memory faded, she no longer seemed aware of the distance — a quiet mercy in the face of her illness.

Still, she found comfort and strength in the steady support of her son Greg and his wife, Kim, who were her most consistent sources of care and connection. Even after Greg’s diagnosis with Frontotemporal Dementia, he and Kim did their best to stay by Shirley’s side, offering love and support through the challenges of aging and loss. Kim always smiles when she remembers the handwritten notes Shirley would send her — often signed, “You’re the best daughter-in-law ever.”

Family, for Shirley, was never simple — but it was always deeply felt. Through joy and grief, through presence and distance, she held her loved ones in her heart with abiding tenderness.

Thank you

A special thank you to Kari Torkelson, who stepped up with compassion and strength to serve as Shirley’s alternate Health Care Agent and Power of Attorney when no one else was able or willing.

Kari, your willingness to take on that responsibility and your care for Shirley during such a vulnerable time meant more than words can fully express. Thank you for being there when it truly mattered.

memorial service

Memorial Service

August 7, 2025

Suite Living Memory Care & Assisted Living of Roseville 197 County Road B2 W, Roseville, MN 55113, USA

Let a hint of blue — the hue Shirley loved — be part of your presence as we gather in her memory. A scarf, a pin, a shirt, or a ribbon — any simple touch will do. If you choose to wear it, know that she would have smiled with delight.

In 2005, Shirley thoughtfully planned the details of her own memorial, choosing each element with care. In honoring her wishes, the service included the hymns “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” and “On Eagle’s Wings,” a reading from Ecclesiasticus 3:1–8, and the poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer — all personally selected by Shirley.

The service closed with The Lord’s Prayer, which she also chose — a final reflection of the peace she found in her later years and the quiet reconciliation she made with faith.

Thank you all who came to honor Shirley! Your presence mattered.

“Trees” by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.